Experience two exceptionally rare masterpieces of English medieval art in this major new exhibition. Luminous monumental stained glass of the 12th century, removed for the first time ever from England's celebrated Canterbury Cathedral, is united with the St. Albans Psalter, an exquisitely illuminated book of psalms—and one of the most famous English manuscripts of the early Middle Ages.

Gain insight into how texts, prayers, and environments shaped the medieval viewer's understanding of these images during the 1100s, an era of artistic innovation and renewal.

View one of the most iconic documents of the ancient world, the Cyrus Cylinder, as it concludes its U.S. tour at the Getty Villa. This clay cylinder, inscribed with cuneiform script, records the conquest of Babylon in 539 B.C. by the Persian king Cyrus the Great, and bears witness to the multiethnic nature of the Achaemenid Empire, which introduced innovative forms of writing, religion, and luxury goods to the Near East.

Discover the creativity and wit of Abelardo Morell, the renowned Cuban-born American photographer whose images push the boundaries of the medium while exploring visual surprise and wonder. Presenting a range of individual works and series—many never displayed before—this exhibition shows how Morell has mined photographic history for inspiration. The exhibition was organized by the Art Institute of Chicago in association with the J. Paul Getty Museum and High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

Photographers have focused on the window as a framing device and conceptual tool throughout the history of photography. Discover some of the earliest images that reveal the window as a camera subject, through works by William Henry Fox Talbot, Julia Margaret Cameron, and Eugène Atget, as well as contemporary images by artists such as Robert Adams, Uta Barth, Gregory Crewdson, Sabine Hornig, and Yuki Onodera.

In Focus: Architecture
October 15, 2013–March 2, 2014 | The Getty Center
Discover the history of architectural photography through images of sacred and secular structures, picturesque environments, abstracted spaces, and conceptual forms.

Tiberius: Portrait of an Emperor
October 16, 2013–March 3, 2014 | The Getty Villa
Meet the newly conserved bronze statue of Roman emperor Tiberius, discovered in 1741 at Herculaneum and on loan from the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Last Chance for...

The Poetry of Paper
Through October 20 | The Getty Center
Explore the fascinating world of negative space in this exhibition of masterful drawings paired with original haiku. Learn more »

Hear lush songs of love and loss performed by sisters Mahsa and Marjan Vahdat. Internationally renowned in the world of classical and contemporary Persian music, they are part of a new generation of musicians devoted to upholding a waning tradition in today's Iran. To celebrate the iconic Cyrus Cylinder, the duo has created a special evening of music featuring dynamic Tehran-based instrumentalists. Tickets $25.

Hosts Amber Tamlyn and Mindy Netifee present an evening with luminaries of contemporary poetry and spoken word, showcasing new works inspired by the remarkable photographs of Abelardo Morell. Interwoven with lush live music and expressive dance, this performance becomes an ecstatic exploration in which the visual and literary arts collide. Free; reservations required.

Join renowned photographer Abelardo Morell as he shows how his artistic production has been closely tied with technical investigations into new ways to make photographs. Discover his early work and how it has influenced his more recent images, which incorporate principles of optics and time made using a camera obscura and a tent camera. Free; reservations recommended.

One of the most recognizable and renowned examples of the international style of architecture, the Villa Savoye was built by Le Corbusier between 1921 and 1931, suffered damage during World War II, then was restored over more than three decades beginning in 1963. Pierre-Antoine Gatier, one of France's foremost experts on historic preservation, examines the conservation management plan for this remarkable structure. Free; reservations recommended.

Cyrus the Great and the Persian Empire: Perspectives from Antiquity to Today

Sunday, October 27, 10:15 a.m.–5:15 p.m. | The Getty Villa

Since its discovery in 1879, the Cyrus Cylinder has inspired wide-ranging discussion about the benevolent nature of Cyrus's rule. Explore a range of perspectives from which the Cylinder—and the Achaemenid Empire—have been understood with experts at this one-day symposium. Speakers consider Babylonian precursors, the Persian and Jewish traditions, the ancient Greek view, and the representation of Cyrus in modern Iran. Symposium fee $15.

Tomb of Cyrus the Great in Pasargadae, Iran. Photo: Alborzagros, CC-BY-SA-3.0

Why Do We Need Saints?

Wednesday, October 30, 7:00 p.m. | The Getty Center

How did saints emerge as a powerful force throughout Christian history? Who were they? For centuries, Christians have looked to them as God's intermediaries, praying to them for protection, comfort, inspiration, and miracles. In a special event presented with Zócalo Public Square, hear a distinguished panel explore the cult of saints, popular and regional movements that have created saints, and what saints have offered to those who love them. Free; reservations required.

Make the pilgrimage to medieval Canterbury at this daylong immersive festival. Celebrate the music and dance of Chaucer's time with L.A.-based Capella Cordina, Brigid's Daughters, and Ciaramella, discover the richness of the Canterbury Tales through acclaimed performers We Tell Stories and David Prather, and create your own stained-glass window at one of the hands-on workshops. Free; no reservations required.